Detroit’s 70-Year Struggle May Finally Be Over Thanks to Dan Campbell’s Culture Shift
For decades, the Detroit Lions were the league’s laughing stock. No Super Bowl appearances. Only one playoff win since 1957. Hall of Fame talents like Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson retired early, fed up with the franchise’s inability to win.
But in the last two seasons, something has changed—dramatically. Under head coach Dan Campbell, the Lions have built a hard-nosed, emotional, and united culture. Campbell’s passion, combined with smart front-office moves, has turned the team around.
In 2023, the Lions finished 12–5, won the NFC North, and advanced to the NFC Championship Game for the first time in 32 years. QB Jared Goff played some of the best football of his career. Rookie RB Jahmyr Gibbs and WR Amon-Ra St. Brown lit up defenses.
And perhaps most notably, the Lions began to believe in themselves—a cultural change as meaningful as the wins. Now, Detroit isn’t just hoping to win. They’re expecting to. The curse may finally be broken.
